Name: MOMO

Japanese Name: モモ （Ｍ．Ｏ．Ｍ．Ｏ．）

Romanization: Ｍｏｍｏ

Origin: Momo (桃/もも) is the Japanese word for the peach, a deciduous tree from the Rosaceae family, or more specifically, the Prunoideae subfamily. It also refers to the fruit and flower of the tree. Peach trees grow to be about 13-32 feet (4-10 meters) tall. The flowers are usually pink or white. The fruit has yellow or whitish flesh, and can have a velvety or smooth skin. The latter of which are commonly known as nectarines. Like cherries, apricots, and plums, they are drupes (stone fruit). The peach is native to China, though it is now found worldwide.

Significance: Like many other female characters in Xenosaga, MOMO is named after a flower, the peach blossom. Peach blossoms symbolize generosity, immortality, and love’s captivation. Because she is a realian, she doesn’t age, making the immortality symbolism potentially deliberate. Peaches are also symbols of fertility, and as the Episode III database suggests, in the future MOMO could be given a body capable of bearing children.

Significance (2): In Japanese, the number 100 (百) can be read as “momo.” This is obviously referenced, as MOMO is a 100-Series realian.

Surname Origin: N/A*

Surname Significance: N/A*

Additional: The cherry, the plant Sakura is named after, is also in the Prunoideae subfamily.

In game, M.O.M.O. stands for Multiple Observative Mimetic Organicus.